US EPA

560 

Journal Article 

The effect of formaldehyde exposure upon the mononuclear phagocyte system of mice 

Adams, DO; Hamilton, TA; Lauer, LD; Dean, JH 

1987 

1 

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
ISSN: 0041-008X
EISSN: 1096-0333 

NIOSH/00168999 

88 

2 

165-174 

English 

3564036 

10.1016/0041-008x(87)90002-0 

WOS:A1987H025600002 

http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/0041008X87900020
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The effects of exposure to formaldehyde (50000) vapors on macrophage development were studied in mice. Female specific pathogen free B6C3F1-mice were exposed to formaldehyde vapors (approximately 15 parts per million) 6 hours daily, 5 days per week for 3 weeks. Peritoneal leukocytes were collected by lavage from exposed and control mice 2 to 3 days after final exposure. Peritoneal macrophages elicited by pyran-copolymer (MVE-2) were obtained 6 days after intraperitoneal injection of 200 micrograms MVE-2 in groups of both exposed and control mice. Cells from several animals were pooled and cultured, and nonadherent cells were discarded. Cultures were adjusted to contain equal numbers of adherent macrophages and macrophage phagocytosis and enzymes were evaluated. Results showed that exposure to formaldehyde did not significantly alter the number of resident macrophages in the peritoneal cavity or induce their maturation. The weights of lymphoid organs were not affected by formaldehyde exposure. Results were similar for mice treated with MVE-2. Formaldehyde exposure was associated with an increased ability of macrophages to release reactive intermediates. The authors conclude that formaldehyde exposure does not perturb systemic development of the mononuclear phagocyte system. They also conclude that exposure does enhance ability to release reactive oxygen intermediates. This may have the beneficial effect of enhancing destruction of certain pathogens and the deleterious effect of inducing significant genotoxic damage. 

DCN-156861; Inhalants; In vivo studies; Laboratory animals; Immune system; Exhaust gases; Industrial gases; Toxic gases; Exposure chambers; Cellular function; Cell differentiation